Detected the first wild lynx litter of five cubs in the area of reintroduction of Rio Guarrizas

On the last Friday, March 25, thanks to the cooperation of citizens in the municipality of Vilches and its mayor, the LIFE+Iberlince Project could verify the presence of the first litter of 5 puppies in the field of Guarrizas.

In this municipality, the lynx population coexists with tradition. During the Easter Week the residents of this village have got the habit of camping in the vicinity of this town cohabiting these days with the Iberian lynx settled in the area. In those camped many people they have the privilege of observing this iconic species as has been the case of a resident of Vilches. During one of his walks he found a cave where he looked out after hearing some sounds that identify and did not know came from inside to discover that it was a litter of 5 pups territorial female lynx in the area. He immediately made aware the mayor of Vilches who, in turn, notified the technician responsible for this area Iberlince Project.

Having found that the puppies were good, a monitoring device was mounted by camera traps to direct and certify that the mother had not left the den after the accidental encounter with this neighbor litter observation. Although it is a whole lot to enjoy the sighting of 5 lynx cubs about a month, we should not forget that it is wild animals. We should note that these animals are very leery, and encounters accidental such as this, it can lead to the abandonment of puppies if the bond between mother and child, which is established in the first two weeks of life, still has not been generated. It has not been the case, as these puppies had about a month, confirming by camera traps cubil change these to a new one in a nearby area. Uncertain the presence of puppies, we must always stay away from the area to allow greater ease and avoid discomfort to the animal, you should feel safe at all times. In this way, we will avoid the possible abandonment or the loss of a puppy having to look for an alternative area where raise their offspring.

It's nice to see how life is making inroads even with the obstacles that nature itself imposes. The decline in the population of rabbits in the area due to the new strain of the disease Hemorrhagic Viral affecting the rabbit, the main prey species Iberian lynx has not been a limiting factor for reproduction of this female that has not only given birth, that it is an important milestone, but also seems to have brought forward these 5 puppies. Remember that typically litters lynx has between 1 and 4 pups, so 5 is a wonderful all exception.